City of Minneapolis celebrates first group of Green Homes North homes sold

March 27, 2014 (Minneapolis) - On Friday, March 28, the City of Minneapolis and Green Homes North program partners will celebrate the sale of its first group of green homes. The event will be held at 2:30 p.m. at 3858 Sheridan Avenue North, the first green home sold. Brief comments will be given by City of Minneapolis Housing Director Tom Streitz, City Council President Barb Johnson, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Assistant Commissioner of Single Family Housing Mike Haley, Hennepin County Commissioner Linda Higgins, and new Green Homes North homeowners Robert Smith and Anita and Brandon Knez.

Green Homes North is a City of Minneapolis initiative to build 100 affordable, quality, and sustainable homes in North Minneapolis to help revitalize neighborhoods within the community most affected by the housing foreclosure crisis and the 2011 tornado. Last year, seven developers, five nonprofit and two private, broke ground on 27 green homes. Currently, all 27 homes are under construction or built. Four of the homes have been sold and are owner occupied.

Completed homes range in price from $150,000 - $210,000; offer 1,500-1,800 finished square feet, 3-4 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms, open concept designs, quality finishes, full unfinished basements, and green building features. Homes are constructed to the Minnesota Green Communities Standards as developed by the State of Minnesota. Green homes are expected to have lower monthly utility bills.

“Green Homes North is important because it increases homeownership options for residents of North Minneapolis,” said Council President Barb Johnson. “New construction and rehabbed homes are both important parts of the mix to build sustainable neighborhoods, increase property values, and attract increased investment across North Minneapolis.”

Both Robert Smith’s and Anita and Brandon Knez’s highly energy efficient homes were designed by Jay H. Isenberg, AIA of Peyser, LLC and Phil Rader architect of NVizeon, Inc. and built by Ben Akhigbe of Benoz Homes, Inc. While Smith lives at 3858 Sheridan Avenue North and the Knezs live at 4150 Upton Avenue North, they will not only each enjoy living in a Green Homes North Home, they will also both be able to enjoy the amenities of living in the Victory neighborhood of North Minneapolis. Victory includes the Victory Memorial Parkway, part of the Grand Rounds system, The Warren, an artist habit offering exhibits and performances, a farmers market July-October, and the famous Victory 44 restaurant among other conveniences.

“I love my new home - the design is terrific and fits me very well,” said Robert Smith, a music professor at St. Olaf College who lives in the Victory neighborhood. “The neighborhood is very friendly, quiet, and I love the bike paths and park space.”

The second and third Green Homes North homes sold are located in the new Hawthorne EcoVillage, a developing North Minneapolis neighborhood committed to strong natural systems, healthy people, and a vibrant community. Both homes located at 424 and 428 31st Avenue North respectively were built by Habitat for Humanity and sold in late January. Designed by University of Minnesota architecture students and faculty, 424 31st Avenue is a net zero home, meaning that the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is roughly equal to the amount of renewable energy created onsite.

Eighteen more Green Homes North homes are scheduled to break ground this year by nine developers. For more information on Green Homes North visit the City’s website or watch this brief video about the program.

Green Homes North is a partnership between the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, Family Housing Fund, and the Twin Cities Community Land Bank.